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Early Media Impressions of TGs
Footprints from the Past
Part VI
By Andee W
Subscribers can review parts one, two, three, four, and five of the Footprints series.
Caught. How many of us have planned for some special private time and been
interrupted by a sibling, parent, friend, or neighbor? Many times we are more
lucky than smart, and we quickly dodge the obstacles and hide the evidence;
sometimes we are caught red handed (and red faced) and come up with a stupid
or lame rationalization for why we are suddenly dressed in the clothes
appropriate for the opposite sex. Mostly, if we're discovered, we don't 'fess up
to the real reason why we are as we appear.
As a grade school child my girl friends included me in elaborate role
playing games - sometimes I was the doctor (NO!-not like that!), sometimes the
Daddy, sometimes one of the sisters or girlfriends, and that was my favorite
part. One of the first times I remember when I was about 7 or 8 we were
playing a game of 'dress up for the party' and my playmate gave me a short
crinoline party dress, lace anklet socks, and black patent leather shoes to
change into. No big deal, as I had been a princess for Halloween that year. We
continued our play, imagining we were drinking punch and waiting to dance, and
I was in heaven until the girl's mommy walked in on us. I'll never forget the
look on her face - shock, disbelief, then a small smile and the comment "I
wonder what your Mommy will say when I tell her she has a new daughter."
Almost in a matter-of-fact way she added "just clean up the toys when you're
finished playing, and make sure you hang up that dress." As far as I knew at
the time nothing was said to my Mom, and we played dress-up at my friend's
house many other times. I found out, much later, that both the Moms had talked
about what happened, but amazingly for the era, didn't have a problem with it.
"He'll outgrow it, and move on to other things." So, as I grew up on the
surface I did move on, until the discovery and enjoyment of a most pleasant
feminine side of my personality.
I'm sure many of us feel that some events influenced us and why we have
turned out the way we are. So it seems with this month's installment from just
after the great war. The men have returned to England, the meadows around
Cambridge are about to bloom, and prosperity is on the horizon as we are at
the end of the second decade of the Twentieth century. This letter was
originally published in Bits of Fun in the spring of 1919.
"Since my guardian's death I have lived as a paying guest with various friends
and acquaintances. It was just previous to the war that I was spending a long
holiday, as a boarder, with some friends of my late guardian at a country
house near Cambridge, and one day I dressed in the housemaid's clothes,
complete black frock, cap, apron, etc. She was naturally surprised and
indignant, and after a struggle I got her to promise secrecy, although I had
to pay a stiff price for what I was wearing (she refused to have them back)
and had to buy her a present as well.
Even this did not cure me, for a week or so after, the landlady and her
elder daughter being out for the day and the younger at school, I took the
liberty of going through their wardrobe, and dressing myself in the daintiest
lingerie I could find, including a beautiful pair of corsets. After trying on
various dresses, I put on the daughter's best frock, and after a struggle,
hooked it up at the back. It was dark velvet, and fitted me well, except that
it was inches above my knees. I also found a nice white pinafore, and had just
put this on when in walked my hostess with her daughter.
They both stared at me dumbfounded, and their eyes wandered around their
bedroom taking in the open drawers and attire littered about everywhere. 'What
on earth are you doing?' 'What is the meaning of all this?' 'What an
unwarranted liberty?' and so on. The daughter after a time began shrieking
with laughter, until her mother ordered her downstairs. I then explained the
reason for my conduct and begged her forgiveness, at the same time asking her
to cure me of my weakness. I felt too ashamed to look at her, and I was left
uncertain as to my fate, except that I was startled to hear the key turn in
the door as she went out.
An hour elapsed, when the key was turned, and the mistress came in with the
eldest daughter. Before I knew what had happened my hands were severely tied
behind, and a small fancy apron tied over my head. I was then led downstairs,
and stood on a chair in the drawing room. The servants were called in (the
housemaid told of my previous escapade after hearing of my doings that day),
and then I heard my fate, viz., one month as a maid and one month in the
clothes I was wearing. The alternative was that my friends (male and female)
would be wired for, and would see me as I was. I accepted the former needless
to say, with the stipulation that no one outside those present would see me
under this punishment.
I am afraid this letter is too long now, or I would give you many details
of my ordeal. I actually spent nearly two months as a servant; the slightest
complaint from the cook was an extra day, and probably an additional
humiliation in the evening, such as brushing the daughter's hair for an hour,
or an hours drill on my knees manicuring their hands, etc.
The daughter especially enjoyed my humiliation. My blushes were not spared,
and even my hair, which was long, was curled and false hair added. With all
this, except for the humiliation, I was sorry when I ever again donned male
attire, and to this day I occasionally dress up in the clothes they insisted
on my taking with me on leaving."
I hope you have enjoyed this month's installment. Next month we journey into
the flapper era.
Andee is married with two children and lives outside Washington DC. You can send her email at AndeeW@aol.com.
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